Today in Soap Opera History (December 15)

1966: David found Victoria on DARK SHADOWS but left
without helping her. 1982: Holly's preliminary hearing got
underway. 1988: GL's Ben wanted to know if "Aunt Mo" was
his new mommy. 1999: AMC's Alex had big news for David.

"The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see."
- Winston Churchill

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1964: On ANOTHER WORLD, on the night before Pat's (Susan Trustman) murder trial was to begin, she still refused to take the truth serum despite a last-minute plea from Jim (Shepperd Strudwick).

1966: On DARK SHADOWS, David (David Henesy) discovered Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) in the secret room but was afraid he might get into trouble so he ran away and left her there still tied up.

1971: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Liz (Alberta Grant) received a telegram that said her father, Orin Hillyer, and stepmother, Julie Jamison, had been critically injured in a plane crash.

1982: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, a hearing was held to determine if Holly (Emma Samms) would stand trial on charges she was very closely linked to the murders of Frank Van Geldin and Albert Barker, and the attempted murder of Dan Rooney.

1987: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Kim (Patsy Pease) and Shane (Charles Shaughnessy) brought Eve (Charlotte Ross) home to live with them permanently.